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Chemicals Used for Water Treatment 2010-12-16

Chemicals in drinking water treat the water to remove unwanted bacteria and substances. Chemically treated water also helps to prevent cavities and can keep water pipes from premature corrosion.

Chemicals used for water treatment sometimes vary from location to location. Some common chemicals are used in almost all water treatment.

Potassium Permanganate

Potassium Permanganate is an oxidizing agent added to water at treatment facilities. This chemical removes iron and manganese found in water with low oxygen content. If these things are not removed it could cause stains in clothing and pipes.
The oxidation also helps with taste and odor of water. It oxidizes the organic contaminants that cause bad odors and taste.

Aluminum Sulphate

Aluminum Sulphate acts as a coagulate in water treatment. It binds together fine particles and creates larger particles that are filtered out. This helps in removing the cloudiness from water and improves taste. By coagulating the finer particles, they do not escape past filtration. The filtration process removes the aluminum as well.

Hydrated Lime

Hydrated lime is an alkaline compound that's added to raise the Ph level in water. When Aluminum Sulphate does its job, it lowers the Ph level of water because of its acidity. Hydrated lime is then used between the filtration and sedimentation processes to raise the Ph level.

Chlorine

Chlorine is added to water to disinfect it and improve its overall quality. It primarily destroys pathogenic microorganisms, oxidizes harmful elements, and removes some bad tastes and odors. The residual chlorine that remains in the water continues to remove bacteria until it reaches the taps of consumers.
Sodium Hypochlorite is becoming the more common form of chlorine used. Studies also show that Sodium Hypochlorite reduces the amount of natural arsenic that occurs in water.

Polyphosphate

Polyphosphate serves many functions in the treatment of water. It removes lead and copper from the water. Polyphosphate also improves the quality of water by removing scale deposits, preventing microorganism reformation and helps stabilize residual chlorine disinfectant properties.

Fluoride

Flouride concentrations in drinking water are kept at levels to prevent tooth decay especially in children. It is usually added as a final treatment step in water treatment facilities. The Environmental Protection Agency has set limits on the amount of fluoride that can be added to water. There is concern over the amount of fluoride a person consumes. Too much can cause soft bones and other health issues.

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